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Could failure to yield have caused fatal motorcycle crash?

A car turning in front of oncoming traffic proved deadly to a 20-year-old Orange County man whose motorcycle collided with it. According to police at the scene, the fatal motorcycle crash happened in the middle of the day as the southbound motorcycle struck the northbound car that was executing a left turn.

The motorcycle collision caused the rider to receive severe a severe head injury and brain injury in addition to a neck injury. He was taken to a local hospital, but he died from the catastrophic injuries he suffered.

Police did no charge the driver of the car with any violations of the law, but their investigation of the accident was continuing. Even when an accident investigation does not reveal evidence of criminal wrongdoing on the part of a driver, it does not mean that the accident might not have been caused in whole or in part by a negligent party.

An accident of this type raises questions about the conduct of the driver of the car and the motorcycle rider prior to the collision. If the driver's failure to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic caused the two vehicles to collide, the driver could be liable for damages in the fatal motorcycle crash. However, if the motorcycle rider was speeding, or if there is evidence to show that he was a distracted driver who failed to take notice of the turning vehicle, the law might impose some liability on him, as well.

Personal injury attorneys who understand the negligence laws in California can assist injured victims of motorcycle accidents, or the family of a deceased victim, by reviewing the facts to determine if a negligent driver might be liable to pay compensation.